Franziskaner Weissbier (blown prior to arrival, not replaced while there)

BOTTLE OPTIONS: 17 total bottle options were on the menu at the time of my visit, most of which were macros. Full Sail Amber and Sam Smith Pale Ale were the only real highlights.

FOOD OPTIONS: There are a lot of options available, most of which seem really tasty. This place definitely requires multiple visits. There are several sausages and brats (like you would assume considering the name), cheese steaks (I’m from Philly. I know cheese steaks. I will not make a single comment on this topic until I try them), BBQ beef and pork, sausage sandwiches (basically sausage meat in patty form from what I gather), hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, regular beef burgers, soups and stews… It’s American pub food with a German flair. In some cases, a Cajun flair. This is great stuff to pair with beer!

BAR OPINION: Shultzy’s lives in a world trapped between classic American Pub and classic American pub with German theme. To further confusion, there might even be a few more themes mashed in there. It seems someone was afraid to commit.

Where it not for all of the traditional bar room decorations, one might think that they had walked into a diner of some sort immediately upon entering. Booths completely dominate the large seating area up front. You have to walk all the way to the back of the place to find the relatively small bar. I wonder if this would be different in another part of town. It seems clear that university students dominate the clientele. Possibly a reason for the hidden bar? Regardless, in that long trek to the beer promised land, wandering eyes will spot a decent collection of soccer related paraphernalia, some of German descent such as flags and posters, some for the local Sounders fan. This is not false advertising. Fussball is on the telly (now it’s my turn to mash cultures). There is also a healthy sprinkling of macro marketing, especially relating to everyone’s favorite reason to celebrate their inner Latino; Cinco de Mayo. Mexican flag colored streamers lined the walls and hanging, inflatable Corona bottles dangled from the ceiling.

Considering Shultzy’s Seattle Beer Week participation, I very much had hoped that this would be a home for craft beer. That doesn’t seem to be the case. Okay, well it could be much worse. It does at least seem that the owners know a thing or two about the local(ish) German style brewers. Alpine Brewing Co. out of Oroville, WA and Bayern Brewing out of Missoula, MT were both represented on this day. I’d be happy if they axed some of those bigger guys like Hoegaarden (Inbev) and put on some Chuckanut. Another sign of beer respect comes in the form of proper glassware. Every beer on tap had its only glass.

I took a seat at the bar and spotted one of the few non-German styles offered: Hale’s Supergoose, a local craft… it was mine. It had been quite a while since I’d had one, and it tasted fabulous! It was hoppy sweetness, right up my alley. I pondered over the lengthy menu while I sipped and enjoyed my day off.

The lack of commitment in decor spills over to the menu as well, but in this case, I have to qualms to speak of. I love meat in linked form, thus my visit here was a long time in the making. It does not disappoint on this front. My El Diablo was a deliciously spicy link of chorizo on a nice long roll topped with cheddar, salsa, sour cream and green onions. It wasn’t very big but it was big in flavor. It was served with a very bland coleslaw (and I love coleslaw) and thin, shoestring fries. The fries are incredible! The “Heinz” ketchup seemed extra vinegary, but that didn’t bother me at all. Big props are deserved for having Beaver Brand mustard on hand as well, even though my selection didnt require it.

back porch = good

A definite gem of Shultzy’s could easily be overlooked: the back porch. Though the weather was not cooperative on the day of my visit (chilly and windy) my future visits will hopefully find much sunshine, friendly company, cheese steak tasting and possibly even studious conversation.

Iron Horse (a group favorite) – The Ellensberg shop is putting out their IPA and their Mocha Death (YES). I am very happy to see that they aren’t simply pouring their normal releases. They simply always show up for beer events with something good.

Black Raven Brewing- Second Sight Scotch Ale, score. Citrus & Spice Trickster IPA, yep. Seriously pumped to try both of these. I was excited to see that they will be the house IPA over at Beveridge Place Pub.

Schooner Exact Brewing Co. Xman beer is my friend. Nothing sums up the Holidays more like a damn good xmas ale. (Great Lakes = best). SE has two xmas beers (Hoppy Holidays Winter Ale and Hoppy the Woodsman) and a Mystery beer. I like it.

Snipes Mountain – To keep a steady mix, snipes is bringing their fall beer, which I might add were both very much admired this season by the public. Pumpkin Death 08 (Cask Bourbon) & 09 Fresh Hop IPA (this is awesome).

Water Street Brewing Co – Heck yeah.I don’t care that Skip Madsen left. He is doing well over there with his Breakaway IPA. But, this place is still my #1 place to get a beer in the area. The life of that place is amazing on a Friday in the summer. Anyways, Burr’s Frosty Winter and a Chocolate Oatmeal Stout ought to do the trick. Nice to see them out and about in Seattle (rare)